Biperiden is an antiparkinsonian agent of the anticholinergic type. The original brand name, which still exists and is manufactured by BASF/Knoll Pharma, is Akineton. Generics are available worldwide.

The oral bioavailability is only 33 +/- 5% due to extensive first-pass metabolism. In young, healthy volunteers, peak plasma concentrations following a single oral 4 mg immediate-release dose are reached after 1.5 hours. The elimination half-life has been determined as 18.4 hours, and may be prolonged in geriatric patients. After a 4 mg intravenous dose, the elimination half-life is approximately 24 hours.

Biperiden has an atropine-like blocking effect on all peripheral structures which are parasympathetic-innervated (e.g. cardiovascular and visceral organs). It also has a prominent central blocking effect on M1 receptors. Biperiden does also act as FIASMA (functional inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase).

Biperiden is used for the adjunctive treatment of all forms of Parkinson's disease and for reduced sweating in methadone users (postencephalitic, idiopathic, and arteriosclerotic). It seems to exert better effects in the postencephalitic and idiopathic than in the arteriosclerotic type.